Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant 老北京

Cumin lamb , beef pancakes , and a very generous BYOB policy are the keys to its popularity, and while it's not the place to go for health food, it's spicy and reasonably priced. [Eater 38 Member]

For an alternative take on Chinese fare, Old Mandarin is a beloved industry standby. Cumin lamb , beef pancakes , and a very generous BYOB policy (yes, despite the name) are the keys to its popularity. Read more

The small dining room features mostly communal seating , and is ideal for feasting on Mandarin cuisine, including the crowd favorite cumin lamb , Beijing-style hot pots , and crunchy tofu . Read more

It should be a crime to come here without trying the Chef 's Special Mandarin Lamb . This is a traditional Xinjiang dish. Food from that region is extremely difficult to find but they're known for lamb .

It’s time I write an ode to this SF gem. Get the cracked fish - it’s melt in your mouth yum. Also not depicted is the dry tofu with green beans ! Absolutely unforgettable.

One of my favorite Chinese restaurants in SF and it's HALAL! Check out their 3 flavor chow mien , Mongolian chicken or beef , schezwan chicken and beef with broccoli ... all so YUMMY!

The clay pot with sour lettuce is to die for. Omg fish so yummy. And it is possible to eat healthy-had spinach with garlic and tofu with double mushroom to go with it. Line is FAST with a group.

You definitely want to make a reservation—the space is on the petite side, and I recommend you show up with at least a posse of six or lucky eight so you can plow through that menu like Genghis Khan. Read more

Cumin lamb , crack fish , green beans , scallion pancake . They’ll literally order it for you if you just say “the usual”.

Bring your own beer , wine , champagne , etc., and be sure to order the Extremely Hot Pepper , the Stirred Shredded Pancake , and anything with lamb . Read more

Three words for you: extremely spicy pepper . That is the name of one of the signature dishes at Old Mandarin Islamic, a halal Mandarin restaurant way out in the western reaches of the city . Read more

The cumin lamb is delicious and has a kick to it. You can skip the lamb dumplings , which were just ok. Remember this place is cash only .

A northern Chinese delicacy impossible to find: noodles made from a giant housemade wheat-flour crepe sliced into thin ribbons, then stir-fried with onions , cloud ear fungus, vegetables and egg .

"Crack" Sliced Fish - tasty dish. Not as spicy as I was expecting, but still considerably hot. The fish is very tender - try it!

Every element of the spicy beef noodle soup is on point! And lamb dumplings are very juicy. Both are must-order items.

Not sure you want Chinese and want something a little different? Go here,it's Chinese and different. You can't go wrong with their delicious and eclectic menu . No matter what you get.

Spice fiends will delight in the hot pepper laden dishes at this Halal Chinese restaurant . Try ordering different meats to go with the hot pot .

Whatever you do — get the cumin lamb !!! Yeah, it’s that good ????

You'll see workers making the dumplings if you take a bathroom break through the kitchen, so you know what you're getting is very fresh. Read more

Beijing style noodle in dark bean paste is really good!

CRACK Beef . I don't know exactly what it is, but it's very spicy and very delicious.

Awesome beef pie and beef noodles . Big portions . Get it to go.

The cumin lamb delivers as advertised and the string bean with tofu was a sleeper hit.

The Extremely Hot Pepper lives up to its name and is very flavorful. Definitely try it if you like spice!

Fantastic stir-fried lamb with green onions

Very much enjoyed the beef stew , beef pancake , cumin lamb and lamb dumplings . You really can't go wrong

So good but a tiny spot. Go during the week or you'll be in line for 20 min+

The cumin lamb stir-fry is great! Authentic and flavorful.

Our table went postal for the thinly sliced pieces of the Mandarin lamb ($10.95)—so much so that we ordered the dish for another round, bring it ON. Read more

BYOB . Beloved SF institution. Alternative take on Chinese fare.

Holy shit. Only order extremely hot pepper if you have an iron stomach and tongue .

hot & sour soup . spicy chili chicken , mandarin lamb , dumplings . great flavors, good value . a bit out of the way, but definitely worth it.

Forgo the dishes on the “poultry ,” “beef ,” or “mu shu” sections. Instead, gather a group of friends for a Beijing-style hot pot excursion, which you cook yourselves: Read more

The beef pancake is tasty, but you can skip it if you feel your order is already too ambitious.

The Extremely Hot Pepper dish is very hot indeed. Great flavors but hot going in and hot coming out the next day!

The lamb with green onions is superb! And so is the salt and pepper tofu . Crispy on the outside, velvety on the inside. Delish!

Stir Fried Pancake with Vegetables is on the list of 21 best noodle bowls by San Francisco Magazine

Get the cumin lamb and the 辣死你

Get the Mandarin Lamb , eggplant w garlic , three flavor dumplings , and extremely hot pepper . Fandabbadoozeytastic.

Get the crispy beef pancakes and juicy lamb dumplings .

Try to sit in the very back room.

There's a sign that says CASH ONLY but they actually take card too.

Spicy beef noodles are the best.

Beef tendon was awesome.

The green beans with crispy bean curd is a punch of crunch

Get #32 (tripe ). It is so fresh and delicious

Beef pancake , string beans and tofu , lamb cumin !

try the stir fried pancake with veg . it's actually more like a noodle dish

Spicy beef noodle soup is excellent

the food is God awful. Supremely oily, the beef for the hot pot looked odd. You would have thought that you owed the waitress money. And they forgot one of our orders. Stay away!